Senior Superintendent Karen Tsang Shuk-yin, leading the casualty investigation team, confirmed the discovery of 30 additional bodies at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex fire site in Tai Po District, Hong Kong today. She anticipates finding more victims.
Most of the newly found bodies were located in the Wang Tai tower, one of the eight buildings within the Wang Fuk Court complex. The fire originated in the Wang Cheong tower, then spread to Wang Tai, and subsequently to other towers via the bamboo scaffolding system.
"As of 4 PM, the number of fatalities has risen to 146. We are racing against time to complete our work," Tsang stated, adding that 79 people were injured.
Senior Superintendent Cheng Ka-chun, who leads the victim identification team, reported that bodies were found inside apartments, on staircases, in corridors, and even on rooftops. Search efforts are difficult due to poor lighting, requiring rescuers to use headlights and flashlights.
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Residents place flowers at a memorial area on 29/11 to commemorate victims of the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex fire. *Photo: AFP* |
Officials indicate that approximately 40 people remain missing from the fire, and rescue forces are actively searching for them. The entire search process within the burned buildings could take about 2-4 weeks.
The Wang Fuk Court apartment complex, comprising about 2,000 units, began burning on the afternoon of 26/11 and continued for approximately 40 hours. This marks Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades.
Hong Kong declared three days of mourning, starting from 29/11, to commemorate the victims. Government headquarters and offices will fly flags at half-mast until 1/12.
Chris Tang, Director of the Hong Kong Security Bureau, stated that based on preliminary information, officials believe the fire started from external safety nets on the lower floors of the building. It quickly spread upwards due to burning foam panels, affecting many floors.
Hong Kong police have arrested 11 individuals on corruption and manslaughter charges related to the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex's HKD 330 million (over USD 42 million) renovation project.
Huyen Le (According to Reuters, SCMP)
